Ceramic Paint Coatings

[RetroGeorge]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

I've only used Zaino products on my 15 year old black car from day one. Aside from the little scratches and dings from normal usage, the paint looks better than new--a much deeper shine.By the way, the leather seats look as good as new, too.

I, too, am a fan of the Zaino Bros detailing kit. I used it on my RED Triumph TR3B that had a 10-year old paint job that looked brand new. The one-time use of the clay bar made the surface as smooth as a baby's bottom. Granted, it is a LOT of work, with all the steps, but the end result is worth it. I still have the remainder of the kit, that I will eventually use on my Retro, when it needs it. I am not looking forward to it, as I am 10 years older and there is more surface area on my two doors than there was on the entire Triumph. Right now, it feels too smooth to take a clay bar to, so I will keep using Maguiars until the time comes. Also, I have a silver car, and silver is not a "Car Show" color! I parked it between red and black Retros, and it literally DISAPPEARED! "What did you think of my silver Retrobird?" "There was a silver one there?"

One thing caught my attention. Is the poster with the annual detailing having a CLAY BAR put to his car EVERY YEAR?? That seems awfully severe unless you live in West Texas, where sand will imbed into diamond.

GAB

[Chuck]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

I've had mixed results with the judges and the "clear bra's". I had one on my DSB, it yellowed which on a black car you wouldn't see. But some judges overlooked the yellowing, some didn't. I also had some weirdness in the "clear bra" or the xpel deck protector strips. Same deal, some judges overlooked it, some didn't. The xpel will probably cost you as much to have put on and will only protect where it's applied whereas the nano coating is the whole car. Either way, a grand is a few dollars

[02LeeBird]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

I had the clear bra put on my WW Bird and the first time out of the shoot we went on a cruise in NH and the bug guts would not come off. It took a dozen washings to get it "mostly" off. It also showed dirt around the edges and the edges had to be cut back by the installer a couple of time. Finally I said, screw it, and just pulled it off. A waist of money in my opinion. I use the T-Bird black bra now when we cruise and just take it off at shows.

[rexster314]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

One thing caught my attention. Is the poster with the annual detailing having a CLAY BAR put to his car EVERY YEAR?? That seems awfully severe unless you live in West Texas, where sand will imbed into diamond.

GAB

A clay bar, properly used, will not remove paint or clearcoat. It knocks off the microscopic crud that a car collects over a period of time. Washing won't remove the stuff, and most of the time you won't feel it, but it's there. For a test, put your hand in a zip loc bag, and then pass your hand over the deck lid or hood using a little bit of pressure. More than likely you'll feel slight bumps that you don't feel using your bare hand
In my case, I'll use a Zaino clay bar about every 8-9 months with no degradation of paint.

[JudgeLucid]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

I've decided against the bra (insert Woodstock humor here) and have made an appointment for just having the coating done. George: As for the claying, I agree with Rex that - assuming it is done correctly (fully wetted, clean clay and due care) that only the imbedded contaminates that won't be dislodged by hand washing and their scars are removed during the process. I can appreciate that overdoing it could be serious however. The fact that BURRRD is black is both a blessing and a curse - it looks great at shows but that only comes on the heels of "drive an hour - detail for two hours." Hopefully the coating will offset some of the more grueling off-week detailing chores.

I did speak with a car show judge, also, regarding his take on applied bras, and he explained that they are now considered more an "accessory" than a modification, and as such are not marked off, unless as Lee said, it is bug-encrusted.


Judge Lucid

[Chuck]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

In preparation for this coming weekend using my DA and a polishing pad I put a coat of Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax Pure Synthetic Polymer on my DSB. This stuff is amazing. Since 2003 I have been messing around trying to get something that gave my DSB the "wow" factor. Everything I used just made it look "yeah, it's clean, yeah it's waxed" plain Jane kinda look. I tried Mike's 3 day put stuff on, let it cure overnight and wind up putting a coat of P21 on it. I've tried that Zaino stuff, I went back to my childhood and used something called Liquid Glass, I used your basic Meguiar's cleaner wax - nothing I did made the DSB the look any different. This stuff makes it look like there is a coat of glass on the car. Not sure I would use it on the NM / I think it would be hard pressed to surpass Turtle Wax's "Ultimate Black" but it sure made the DSB look good

[Rodeo Joe]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

Thanks Chuck, might give it a try!

Joe

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

In preparation for this coming weekend using my DA and a polishing pad I put a coat of Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax Pure Synthetic Polymer on my DSB. This stuff is amazing. Since 2003 I have been messing around trying to get something that gave my DSB the "wow" factor. Everything I used just made it look "yeah, it's clean, yeah it's waxed" plain Jane kinda look. I tried Mike's 3 day put stuff on, let it cure overnight and wind up putting a coat of P21 on it. I've tried that Zaino stuff, I went back to my childhood and used something called Liquid Glass, I used your basic Meguiar's cleaner wax - nothing I did made the DSB the look any different. This stuff makes it look like there is a coat of glass on the car. Not sure I would use it on the NM / I think it would be hard pressed to surpass Turtle Wax's "Ultimate Black" but it sure made the DSB look good

I have been using P21 ever since it came out, nothing worked better on the black bird. I experiment with other products on my Viper Red pick up and always go back to P21 for the deepest shine

[Birdlover]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

I have been using P21 ever since it came out, nothing worked better on the black bird. I experiment with other products on my Viper Red pick up and always go back to P21 for the deepest shine

Please be more specific on what P21 is. Is there a brand name? Don't find anything on a google search for p21.
Thanks,
Richard

[007Cruiser]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

Please be more specific on what P21 is. Is there a brand name? Don't find anything on a google search for p21.
Thanks,
Richard

I believe that they are referring to P21S products.

http://www.p21s.com/products/bis_100cw.html

[Chuck]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

That's the stuff. Don't get me wrong, everything I tried made the car look like it was "just waxed". The Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax Pure Synthetic Polymer just took it to the next level. And I'm not sure it's a "deep" shine. It looks like there is a coating of glass on the car. Not sure I would use it on the NM - but the DSB sure looks good - most of you will see it Saturday / Sunday.

[Birdlover]

Re: Ceramic Paint Coatings

I believe that they are referring to P21S products.

http://www.p21s.com/products/bis_100cw.html

Thanks, Gene